[MarMema]

I didn't notice the Russian Orthodox patriarch visiting Catholic countries this last year and speaking of re-uniting. It seems to me that the pope is the one pushing that agenda.
Once the soviet union fell, protestants from this country were like vultures descending on Russia. Is this what the catholics want to do as well?
What is honorable or noble about trying to lure people from another faith to your own?
If the pope truly wanted to be respected by Russia, perhaps he should have spoken up about the Orthodox church in Lubov, Ukraine which was scheduled to be leveled in order for the pope to make *one* public appearance in that town. It wouldn't hurt for him to return the icon he has which belongs to the Russian church and which he has kept and refused to return, like a child - because he is awaiting an invitation to Russia.
And finally he could choose traveling companions to Ukraine other than Ziggy Brezinski, a known Russophobe.
I don't see that Russia owes anything to the pope or to any members of his church. It is their right to allow into their country those whom they wish to allow to enter.

[history_matters]

Actually there are treaties that oblige Russia to admit those have refused, and that is a matter of treaty and law.

[history_matters]

I didn't notice the Russian Orthodox patriarch visiting Catholic countries this last year and speaking of re-uniting. It seems to me that the pope is the one pushing that agenda.

No, not the Pope, but rather Our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed that we all would be one.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

MarMema be fair. You know Catholics do not proselytize like the Protestants, fundamentalists and cults do. They are the main ones causing problems there now. This latest tiff is simply another example of centuries of hurts, slights and bad blood that has not been resolved.

[Aliska]

It wouldn't hurt for him to return the icon he has which belongs to the Russian church and which he has kept and refused to return, like a child - because he is awaiting an invitation to Russia.

Do you know that for fact or are you just speculating? Was that icon in Portugal? How did it get to Rome?

[Unam Sanctam]

There are descendants of Polish and other Latin-rite Catholic people in Russia. They have a right to practice their religion in peace. The Orthodox define the mere existence of Catholics as "proselytization". The Russian state is denying this. That contradicts the Russian constitution's guarantee of religious freedom. And in any event, is there not freedom of speech in Russia? So long as there is no coercion, why should not the followers of any faith be entitled to evangelize publicly? If people don't want to listen, they can walk away. Why can't the Orthodox Church be proud of its beliefs and traditions and depend upon them to protect it from fair competition in the religious marketplace?

[A. Pole]

And finally he could choose traveling companions to Ukraine other than Ziggy Brezinski, a known Russophobe.

Wow, are you sure? It is hard to believe, the Pope taking with him this warmonger Zbigniew Brzezinski?! If it is true it is depressing.

[dalebert]

There is probably more to this story. There are good churches all over the world but the Vatican has always reminded me of the mafia.